Artificial Heart Valves Quiz

Artificial heart valves have been improving the quality of life of people with heart disease for decades. Still, the thought of having a surgeon tinker with your heart can be disconcerting. Do you know how heart valves work and their success rates?

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Question 1 of 20

Artificial heart valves were first introduced approximately how many years ago?

30

50

Although designs and options have changed, artificial heart valves have been an option for heart disease patients for about five decades.

80

Question 2 of 20

The four valves of the heart are the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and what other valve?

tricuspid

It's possible that a heart patient could have halitosis, but bad breath isn't the result of a tricuspid valve.

halitosis

bilateral

Question 3 of 20

How many heart valve surgeries were performed yearly in the United States as of 2011?

700- to 800-thousand

70- to 80-thousand

So many heart valve operations are performed each year (70- to 80-thousand) it has become a standard procedure.

7- to 8-million

Question 4 of 20

Artificial heart valves can be biological or mechanical. The biological valves often come from what two animals?

baboons and sheep

crocodiles and lions

cows and pigs

You will need to take anti-rejection medication, but cow and pig heart valves work well in humans.

Question 5 of 20

Is there a difference in the durability of biological or mechanical valves?

Yes, mechanical valves last longer.

Because they last so long, mechanical valves are often recommended for younger patients.

Yes, biological valves last longer.

No, they're pretty much the same.

Question 6 of 20

Why do patients with mechanical valves need to take blood-thinners?

Mechanical valves give patients headaches.

Mechanical valves can cause blood cots.

Blood-thinners can help avoid blood clots.

Mechanical valves cause varicose veins.

Question 7 of 20

The first commercially available heart valve came in what design?

Ball and cage

The ball moves within the cage as blood pumps.

Ball and chain

Plaster of Paris

Question 8 of 20

In recent years, a valve using this design has become popular.

Double helix

Octagon

Leaflet

Bileaflet and trileaflet valves swing open like windows to the heart.

Question 9 of 20

Biological valves need to be replaced how often?

6 to 10 months

3 to 5 years

10 to 15 years

Unlike mechanical valves, biological valves wear out in a relatively short amount of time -- usually 10 to 15 years.

Question 10 of 20

What does the surgical team do to the temperature of your heart during valve replacement?

They heat the muscle.

They freeze the muscle.

They cool the muscle.

Cooling the heart muscle allows the surgical team to stop the heart and perform the procedure.

Question 11 of 20

What kind of machine keeps you alive while your heart is stopped?

a heart and lung machine

The heart and lung machine oxygenates your blood and keeps it pumping throughout your body.

a radiator

a generator

Question 12 of 20

What is used to hold the new valve in place?

glue

stitches

The surgeon will stitch the new valve into place before re-starting your heart.

staples

Question 13 of 20

If the heart doesn't re-start once it's warmed, what can be done?

It can be given an electrical shock.

An electrical shock can be used to get the repaired heart beating again.

It can be warmed even more.

It can be cooled and re-heated again.

Question 14 of 20

Is heart valve replacement surgery always an open heart procedure?

No, less-invasive methods are being tested.

Typically the breast bone is sawed in half to reach the heart, but less-invasive methods are being explored.

Yes, there's really no other way to do it.

No, it's often an outpatient procedure.

Question 15 of 20

Yes or No: After valve replacement surgery, you'll be back on your feet in minutes.

No, you can expect a two month hospital stay.

Yes, it's best to just get on with life immediately.

No, you will likely be in the intensive care unit for two or three days.

While valve replacement surgery is common, it's a major operation that requires significant recovery time and usually a couple of days in the ICU.

Question 16 of 20

True or False: The amount of blood-thinner you will need to take is the same for everyone.

True

False

The correct answer is FALSE. Your doctor will determine the amount of blood thinner that's ideal for your body.

Question 17 of 20

How will your doctor determine that your heart is working properly following surgery?

He'll ask you to "drop and give me 20."

Imaging tests will be performed.

Imaging tests will allow your doctor to get a look at your repaired heart.

You'll be asked to jog a mile with a heart rate monitor.

Question 18 of 20

True or False: Fortunately, you'll only need blood thinner for the week following surgery.

True

False

Since blood clots are a risk, you'll have to take blood thinner for the foreseeable future.

Question 19 of 20

Yes or No: A mechanical heart valve is always the best option for all young people.

No. While mechanical valves are usually best for young people, they're not a good idea for women seeking to get pregnant.

Because of the risk of blood clotting, your doctor may advise against a mechanical valve if you're seeking to get pregnant.

No. Mechanical heart valves are never good for young people.

Yes. They last longer than biological valves.

Question 20 of 20

True or False: The success rate of heart valve replacement surgery is low.

True

Not only is the success rate high, many patients report a marked increase in quality of life, too.